Fathers and Case Planning

by Child Welfare Information Gateway

Historically, child protective services (CPS) casework and policies, as well as academic research, typically overlooked the role that fathers played in the dynamics of child abuse and neglect, other than as the alleged offenders. Barriers to involving fathers in case planning included custody issues, unemployment, child support payment and collection, domestic violence, and incarceration. Heavy caseloads also made it harder to track down a nonresidential father; it is often seen as easier to manage the ongoing interactions over the course of the case by working with just one parent, usually the mother, and the children. Fathers often had to demonstrate their connection to the child, whereas the mothers' connection was taken for granted. While it may take extra effort to involve a nonresidential father, it is usually in the child's best interest to do so.

This chapter focuses on working directly with fathers in the case planning process. The chapter first highlights the importance of demonstrating empathy, respect, and genuineness in interactions with a father. It continues with a discussion of two specific issues of particular concern in working with fathers: child support and discipline. The chapter then looks at the challenges of bringing in fathers who do not live with the child. Recognizing that not all relationships are the same, the chapter also explores issues relevant to fathers in different situations.

Demonstrating Empathy, Respect, and Genuineness

Researchers have defined three core conditions that are essential to the helping relationship:

• Empathy
• Respect
• Genuineness

"A caseworker's ability to communicate these three core conditions will strongly influence whether they will build a relationship with the children and family that is characterized by cooperation or a relationship that is hostile and distrustful." Each of these conditions is discussed below in the context of working with fathers.

Empathy is the ability to perceive and communicate with sensitivity the feelings and experiences of another person. Developing empathy is not easy. It can be especially difficult with men and fathers. Whether or not the father is the perpetrator, the entire intake, assessment, and case planning process is experienced by the father, to some degree, as a threat. The very fact that his family is involved with CPS is testimony, at least in his mind, that he has failed in his role as protector. Some fathers will be able to accept and verbalize these feelings; others will defensively shunt them aside. Regardless, the caseworker must understand the feelings the father is experiencing to effectively engage him in the process.

Case Planning

Child Protective Services: A Guide for Caseworkers describes case planning in this way:

The case plan that a child protective services (CPS) caseworker develops with a family is their road map to successful intervention. The outcomes identify the destination, the goals provide the direction, and the tasks outline the specific steps necessary to reach the final destination. The purposes of case planning are to:

• Identify strategies with the family that address the effects of maltreatment and change the behaviors or conditions contributing to its risk;
• Provide a clear and specific guide for the caseworker and the family for changing the behaviors and conditions that influence risk;
• Establish a benchmark to measure client progress for achieving outcomes;
• Develop an essential framework for case decision-making.

The primary decisions during this stage are guided by the following questions:

• What are the outcomes that, when achieved, will indicate that risk is reduced and that the effects of maltreatment have been successfully addressed?
• What goals and tasks must be accomplished to achieve these outcomes?
• What are the priorities among the outcomes, goals, and tasks?
• What interventions or services will best facilitate successful outcomes? Are the appropriate services available?
• How and when will progress be evaluated?

Respect has special meaning to men and fathers. An entire popular language has developed around respect and disrespect in the male-dominated worlds of sports and hip-hop, for example. Communicating respect throughout the case planning process is an important way to get and to keep the father engaged. This is not to suggest that despite the caseworker's best efforts, the father will never feel disrespected during the case planning process. Likely, things will be said and feelings will be exposed that may make him feel disrespected. It is important that the father not be given reason to accurately conclude he is being disrespected by the caseworker. Transient feelings can be dealt with and overcome. A genuine belief that the caseworker disrespects the father, however, can poison the relationship, making it much harder to reach the ultimate goal of safety and permanency for the child.

Genuineness refers to "caseworkers being themselves. This means simply that caseworkers are consistent in what they say and do, non-defensive, and authentic." Genuineness is important in working with fathers, as it is with all members of the family.

Discussing Child Support

As discussed earlier, child support can mean "walking a tightrope" in the CPS context. When working with a father who does not live with his child, child support may be an issue of contention between the mother and father, an issue that could indeed stand in the way of a mother and father working together in any meaningful fashion. For example, among families where the father is not living in the home, the rate of current child support collection rose from 54 percent in 2000 to 59 percent in 2004. The percentage of arrears cases, however, has remained around 60 percent. Not surprisingly, children in homes where they receive no financial support from their fathers are much more likely to be poor.

Underemployment and unemployment can be experienced by the father as a direct insult to his self-perception as a man and father. The same can be true when a man is unable to pay child support. Many men who owe child support are hesitant about approaching any government office, particularly CPS. It would be a mistake for the caseworker to be perceived by a father as an agent for child support enforcement. At the same time, the caseworker would be remiss by not addressing questions of child support when dealing with a nonresidential father and trying to bring this father into the equation to ensure the child is living in a safe environment.

It may be advisable to speak with the local child support enforcement agency about the services available in the community prior to broaching the subject with the family. Over the past several years, the child support movement has come to not only recognize but also actively support the notion that fathers provide much more to the child than financial support. It is now understood that a nonresidential father, even if he is only able to provide minimal child support, is much more likely to help support the child financially over the years if he is involved in his child's life than if he is not emotionally connected to his child.

About the Author

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Formerly the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information and the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse, Child Welfare Information Gateway provides access to information and resources to help protect children and strengthen families. A service of the Children's Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.